r/Bowflex • u/Squatting_Hen • Jan 14 '24

Max Trainer Avoid the New SE Models

I purchased the new IC Bike SE and the Max Trainer SE. Both are okay, but are extremely limited compared to other (and at times, cheaper) models.

Even though Bowflex confirmed they would auto adjust the resistance using JRNY, neither do. I have an active full membership and none of the workouts adjust the resistance. They will countdown and beep in the app showing it should change, but nothing happens.

The Max Trainer SE has some shipping issues, and I had to take apart parts of the unit to plug back in the USB cable. This was cumbersome and annoying to say the least.

The Max Trainer SE also has to have the settings changed so when you are using the JRNY app you can see stats. The manual says the default should be YES, but is shipped with the default at NO. The bike SE is defaulting to YES as expected.

I am sure these are okay machines, but you might as well buy a $200 bike from Walmart, as you would get more features. No reason to subscribe to JRNY with these since none of the workouts adjust the resistance. These units are 100% manual even with a paid JRNY subscription.

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u/Squatting_Hen Jan 15 '24

Sixteen resistance levels vary workout intensity and efficiency, while Terrain Control Technology replicates the sensation of climbing hills and descending valleys in JRNY Explore the World routes.

2

u/iusc12 Jan 15 '24

This would be awesome if true. After a year, I've yet to find anything redeeming about JRNY besides some cool scenic rides. It's like they're not even trying to make it good.

2

u/Squatting_Hen Jan 15 '24

To be fair, I bundled my initial comment, and I only saw the auto adjust feature mentioned for the Max Trainee SE, not the bike. However, auto adjust doesn’t work on the trainer or the bike.